ADVERTISEMENTPresident Volodymyr Zelensky declared the late Pope Francis one of the world’s key religious leaders, as he expressed his condolences at the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations.
“First of all, I want to thank you for this meeting. And once again, I would like to express condolences on behalf of all of us, on behalf of Ukraine, due to the passing yesterday of one of the world’s true religious leaders – Pope Francis. Ukraine has extended its condolences, and we will certainly be present in Rome,” Zelenskyy told Council members.
He also offered Easter and Passover greetings, highlighting the importance of unity in times of war.
“We also didn’t have the opportunity to personally offer our greetings for earlier holidays, including Passover. So let me do that now. This unity – perhaps that is the most important thing we have – is what helps us stand firm against the aggressor,” the Ukrainian President said.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy also thanked the late Pope for his prayers for peace in Ukraine in particular, as well as his ability to offer hope and unity during times of suffering.
“Ukraine needs the support of religious communities – spiritual diplomacy, the diplomacy of values, always helps,” he stated.
Zelenskyy last met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on 11 October 2024, during his diplomatic trip across Europe.
As a symbolic gesture, Zelenskyy presented the Pope with an oil painting titled “The Bucha Massacre – the Story of Marichka.” The artwork commemorates the tragic events in Bucha, a town northwest of Kyiv that became a symbol of civilian suffering following its occupation by Russian forces early in the 2022 invasion.
Pope Francis spoke frequently about the war between Russia and Ukraine, consistently denouncing the violence and advocating for a peaceful resolution. However, some of his statements have sparked criticism within Ukraine, with detractors accusing the pontiff of appearing to downplay Russia’s role in the conflict.
On December 15 2024, during his Sunday address, Pope Francis once again appealed for peace, describing both Russia and Ukraine as “brotherly nations” – a remark that, while rooted in calls for unity, reignited debate over the Vatican’s stance on the war.
Zelenskyy’s comments on the Pope’s death follow Russia’s continued attacks on Ukraine over the weekend, despite Putin’s declaration of an Easter ceasefire.
The Ukrainian President claims Russia violated the ceasefire more than 2,900 times, carrying out 96 assault operations along the front line and shelling Ukrainian positions more than 1,800 times.
Regional officials in Ukraine’s southern region of Kherson also reported that three people were killed over the weekend.
On Tuesday, Russian drones hit the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, while glide bombs battered Zaporizhzhia, local authorities said.
